43.32. How should a motorcycle driver, who is driving with high beam headlights at night, act if drivers of oncoming vehicles located at a distance of more than 250 m periodically switch their headlights?
UAЯк повинен вчинити водій мотоцикла, який рухається з дальнім світлом фар у темний час доби, якщо водії зустрічних транспортних засобів, що знаходяться на відстані більше ніж 250 м, періодично перемикають світло фар?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety at night and the correct interaction between drivers using light signals. Proper use of high and low beam headlights directly affects visibility, prevents dazzling of oncoming drivers, and reduces the risk of head-on collisions, especially on rural roads and unlit sections.
The question tests knowledge of Section 19 of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of external lighting devices, specifically the requirements of clause 19.2. According to this clause, high beams should be used in such a way as not to dazzle other participants, and if the driver of an oncoming vehicle signals by periodically switching their headlights, it means your lights are causing discomfort, and you must respond immediately, even if the distance is still greater than 250 meters.
The correct option is to immediately switch to low beam, because the signal from the oncoming driver is a direct indication that the high beams are already causing discomfort or dazzling. Switching to fog lights does not solve the problem and is not required in this situation, and waiting until the specific distance of 250 meters ignores the given signal and may continue to dazzle the oncoming vehicle. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember: if oncoming vehicles "flash" their headlights, your response should be immediate, since the priority is safe visibility for all road users.
Clause 19.2
The high beam headlights must be switched to low beam no later than 250 m before an oncoming vehicle, as well as in cases where the high beam may dazzle other road users. If the driver of an oncoming vehicle signals the need to switch by periodically flashing their headlights, the driver must immediately switch the high beam to low beam.
Application: if oncoming drivers, even when at a distance of more than 250 m, "flash" their headlights, this is a signal of dazzling/need to switch, so the motorcycle driver must immediately switch to low beam.
Clause 1.10 (term "Dark time of day")
Dark time of day — the part of the day from sunset to sunrise.
Application: the question directly concerns driving during the dark time of day, when the requirements of Section 19 regarding the use of external lighting devices apply.
That is, the correct answer is "Immediately switch to low beam," considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, if an oncoming driver signals by periodically flashing their headlights, the driver is obliged to immediately switch the high beam to low beam (clause 19.2).
At night, the motorcycle driver may use high beams to better see the road. However, the Traffic Rules require not to cause glare or discomfort to other road users.
Clause 19.2 states: if the driver of an oncoming vehicle gives a light signal (periodically switches headlights), this means that your high beams are disturbing them. Even if the distance between vehicles is still more than 250 m, the very fact of such a signal is grounds to believe that the oncoming driver is experiencing glare or reduced visibility.
Imagine the situation: you are riding a motorcycle with high beams on a straight section of road, and a car is approaching from the opposite direction, whose driver flashes their headlights several times. This is not an invitation to "drive faster" and not an accident, but a warning that your headlights are too bright for them. In order not to endanger yourself or the oncoming vehicle (due to possible loss of visibility by the other driver), you should immediately reduce the intensity of the lighting, that is, switch to low beams.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Immediately switch to low beams," since according to clause 19.2, a light signal from oncoming drivers means that the high beams are disturbing and should be turned off immediately to avoid glare and danger.